识时务 (shí) — to recognize the situation; to be sensible about current trends (often used in the idiom 识时务者为俊杰)
Definition
A chengyu-style verb meaning 'to read the situation and adapt' — implying pragmatic judgment of current trends. Almost always used in the fixed saying 识时务者为俊杰 ('one who reads the times is a hero').
verb
to recognize the situationto be sensible about current trends (often used in the idiom 识时务者为俊杰)
Examples
- 识时务，。Zài zhí chǎng zhōng yào xué huì shí, cái néng zuò chū hé shì de xuǎn zé.In the workplace, you need to learn to read the situation to make appropriate choices.
- 识时务，。Tā zhēn shì gè bù shí de rén, guài bu de bèi kāi chú le.He really doesn't know how to adapt to the situation — no wonder he got fired.
- ，，。Nǐ jì rán xuǎn zé chuàng yè, jiù yào shí diǎn shí wù, bié tài chōng dòng.Since you've chosen to start a business, you need to be a bit more realistic about the situation and not act too impulsively.
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